Preface

Progress in fuel and energy has always been the subject of interest in the world economy, transportation, and fuel market. The interest is growing exponentially due to the limit of traditional fossil fuels, out of many renewable energies. Biofuels are just one source, but they still count as an important one.

This book “Recent Advances in the Production of Biodiesel and Related Fuel Additives” deals with the many new developments along with substantial limitations in the production as well as use on a global level. Besides the basic introductory part, the book covers current approaches and plausible future approaches to be addressed. This book contains 12 chapters providing a comprehensive and all-encompassing reference about biodiesels which will be helpful to students, teachers, researchers, and professionals. In this book, readers will find fundamental concepts of important biofuels and the current state-of-the-art technology for their production.

Chapter 1 gives basic information about biodiesel and related fuel additives. The history, availability, and viability of biodiesel, as well as its relevance, technical properties, and prospective replacement for diesel fuel in internal combustion engines along with the biodiesel fuel additives, are discussed in this chapter.

Chapter 2 deals with the utilization of soybean oil as a source of biodiesel. Soybean oil has been widely used for oil production and the leftover is commonly used as animal meal. The chapter includes a detailed discussion of the catalysts used for biodiesel production from soybean oil feedstock.

Chapter 3 shares the production of biodiesel from palm (Arecaceae) oil. Different types of catalysts developed for the transesterification of palm oil are well-audited in this chapter. Meanwhile, chapter 4 discusses the details of biodiesel production from Jatropha curcas oil. This chapter describes the Jatropha system, oil extraction, and catalytic conversion by traditional and modern processes, downstream processes, and final product characteristics.

Chapter 4 discusses the production of biodiesel from Jatropha curcas oil. Jatropha oil is found in a wide range of fatty acid methyl esters profile, and free fatty acids content. Consequently, the adjustments of upstream processes must be considered. Jatropha curcas biodiesel is basically focused on small or medium-scale production. This chapter describes the Jatropha system, oil extraction, and catalytic conversion by traditional and modern processes, downstream processes, and final product characteristics.

Chapter 5 focuses on catalytic pyrolysis of biomass to biodiesel. This chapter focuses on recent catalytic methods for the conversion of biomass to biofuels namely biodiesel along with the pros and cons of the methods.

Chapter 6 describes biodiesel production from algae and recent new technologies.

Chapter 7 deals with the homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis in biodiesel production. The efficiency, limitations, advantages of all kinds of catalysts, comparison of their properties, and suitability in the transesterification are also discussed.

Chapter 8 emphasizes microwave-assisted synthesis of biodiesel and related fuel additives. This book chapter covers a broad spectrum of scientific and instrumental aspects of microwave radiation methodology in chemical synthesis, the practical approach of the microwave reactor design, the production of different biofuels and additives using microwave techniques, along with the advantages and several limitations of this methodology.

Chapter 9 throws light on the ultrasound-assisted production of biodiesel. The use of ultrasounds in biodiesel production has a growing interest due to several advantages; as it significantly reduces the reaction time and avoids the use of heating, reaching similar or higher FAME yield. This chapter explores the basis of ultrasounds and their use in biodiesel production, its main features, and challenges.

Chapter 10 provides an in-depth analysis of several cooking oils as a biodiesel feedstock, including their salient qualities and most common pests.

Chapter 11 emphasizes the waste-derived catalysts for biodiesel production. This chapter gives brief knowledge about such heterogeneous catalysts derived from waste in particular.

Chapter 12 deals with the synthesis of solketal: a potent fuel additive from glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel industries. This chapter gives new insight into the researcher to find a new pathway to utilize the by-product in an environmentally friendly manner.

With the high spirits of hope, we are serving this book to society and our all stakeholders. But at the same time, we are open and thankful for the comments and suggestions that will be received from our readers towards the improvement of this book.